No failure allowed

"The Eagle Unit has been assigned with the task of searching for allies and supplies behind enemy lines. As you all know our group consists of battle-hardened warriors from the whole Union and therefore we were selected to accomplish this seemingly impossible mission. Depending on the success of this operation we might be able to survive the incoming invasion of the Empire, hence we are not allowed to fail is that clear!" Aymon's speech was directed towards the thirty-one man in front of him.

"YES SIR!"

They were standing in three rows of ten soldiers, each one consisted of five GRE members and five High Elfs. Every squad was led by a Staff Sergeant who were all under the command of Aymon and Samira which assisted him. The faces of the soldier showed their displeasure to work with the other factions, especially the High Elfs given their pride as ancestor Elfs. Without spending any time together or going through intensive training that would bond the members together they were now sent to this mission.

"Additionally I want to remember you that we are all in the same boat. There is no enemy within the Union, the only enemy currently is the Empire outside our borders preparing to slaughter your families and friends as soon as they can. Not only is your life depending from the men on your left and right but also the lives of all the Union citizens, so put your grudges aside and fight side by side together against the Empire dogs."

With that, his speech ended and everyone started to pack their belongings and board the ship that was waiting for them. It was a small modern vessel from the humans that was left behind in Felrenrion during the rebellion. A pole on the stern of the ship had the Empires flag-waving, showing the lion who thrones over his pray on a red background.

"Nice speech Lieutenant." The ironic tone in Samira's voice was easily recognizable.

"Better a 'nice' speech than none at all, this is all the preparation time I received to get to know my unit after all. I wish there would be more time so that I could train the soldiers and get a feeling for their competences but that request got quickly denied by the council. Apparently, we currently need every man we can get. But more importantly, what are you doing here, spying on what the Eagle Unit is doing under the command of the GRE?"

"Who knows maybe I will seduce and kill you as soon as you drop your guard."

"Good that you warned me otherwise I wouldn't be able to fall asleep."

"Say, can you reveal your plan for this operation? After all, I'm your personal sergeant so I need to know in order to assist you at the best of my capabilities."

"You're right, might as well give your father some information. Since the Union is a peninsula and the only border on land is under siege, we will leave with this human ship and disguise ourselves as civilians to infiltrate the enemy territory. The plan is to reach the region where the dwarfs live and convince them to supply us with weapons and ammo. If the negotiations fail we'll try to attack convoys and take their supplies."

"Sounds good to me but how are you gonna convince them?"

"That is a problem my future self will need to think of, for now, we should concentrate on how to arrive there alive."

"In the crates on deck are civilian human clothes, disguise yourself as human citizens and hide all the weapons under the remaining clothes. Aah, and don't forget to wear a hat or cap to hide your pointy ears!" His commands were loud and clear as they boarded the ship.

With these words, the vessel slowly started towards Smithssard Mountains. Not long after their departure, a quarrel broke out on deck. Two men started to fight, one was from the GRE while the other was from the High Elfs. Both of them were exchanging punches left and right as Aymon came running.

"What is all the fuss about, I demand an explanation?!" With a menacing aura, he stood before them.

"Sir, he lost at a match of arm wrestling and claimed that I used strengthening magic." One of them started explaining the situation.

"Is what he said true?"

"Yes, sir! I felt his arm suddenly becoming ten times stronger when he suddenly easily defeated me. After I accused him of cheating he punched me in the face."

"To be honest I don't...."

"Ship in sight!!" The man in the lookout interrupted the quarrel.

Two warships equipped with big cannons were coming right towards them. Waving in the strong ocean breeze was the Empire's flag on it. The dispute was immediately forgotten as the ships came closer and closer towards their ship. They immediately started to act like normal sailors and slowed down the ship to not raise any suspicion. When the ships were less than a couple of meters away from them a strong deep voice sounded from the ship.

"Here speaks the imperial navy from Gragrica, what is your business and where are you heading to?"

"We are a transportation vessel headed towards the Smithssard Mountains to deliver clothing!"

An uneasy silence filled the space between the ships as there was no immediate answer.

"A small group will come to inspect your ship shut down the engine and stay where you are, they will soon be there!"

The sloop with about five men was slowly approaching them while everyone's nervousness was showing by the sweat running down from their forehead.